Furnace-grate



F. EVANS.

FURNAGB GRATE.

(N9 Model.)

Patented Jamll, 1898.

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wfxyzsses UNITED STATES PATENT einen FRANK EVANS, OF HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA.

FU RNACE-G RATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 597,079, dated January 1l, 1898.

Application filed January 7,1897. Serial No. 618,327. (No model.)

To all whom zit may concern,.-

Beit known that I, FRANK EVANS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Homestead, in the county of Allegheny and State of Penne Sylvania, have invented a new and useful Furnace-Grate, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means lfor mechanically stoking or stirring the fire of steamboiler furnaces, so as to lighten the fuel, remove ashes, and break up and remove clinkers.

The invention is designed most especially for that type of grates having the bars arranged relatively at an incline, so as to gradually and automatically feed the fuel, the latter being assisted by the stoking attachment in addition to the functions herein specified. i

For a full understanding of the merits and advantages of the invention, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings and the following description.

The improvement is susceptible of various changes in the form, porportion, and the minor details of construction without departin gfrom the principle or sacrificin g any of the advantages thereof, and to a full disclosure of the invention an adaptation thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l shows the invention in elevation, the dotted lines illustrating the operation. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a slice-bar or poker. Fig. 3 is an end view thereof.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in the severalA views of the drawings by the same reference-characters.

The inclined grate l is composed of transverse bars having a depending portion formed with openings or spaces through whicha slicebar, poker, or other implement is thrust for stirring and agit'ating the fire. rlhis inclined grate may be of any type or pattern and is shown to illustrate the vapplication of the invention.

A series of pokers or slicebars 2 are arranged at dierent levels, so as to stir the dre at diderent points and have connection with bell-crank levers 3 by means of rods e, the active ends of the pokers or slice-bars being supported bythe grate-bars or in any convenient manner. The bell-crank levers 3 are fulcrumed to a support or frame 5, and their vertical members have slots G, in which operate the bent ends or connections of the rods 4, whereby the throw of the pokers is adapted to be regulated. The horizontal members or arms of the levers 3 have pivotal. connection with a rod 7, which is operated by means of an eccentric or crank 8 on a shaft 9, said shaft being actuated by hand or otherwise when it is required to stir the iire.

The throw of the pokers or slice-bars is regulated by varying the distan ce of the connection of the rods e with the slotted arms of the levers 3 from the pivotal support of the said arms, which is effected in a simple manner by means of a hand-lever lO, a connecting-bar 1l, and a link l2 between the lever l0 and bar ll. The bar ll has loose connection with the rods or bars Li, and by moving the same the outer ends of the rods or bars 4. can be adjusted to a greater or less distance from the fulcra of the levers 3, whereby provision is had for regulating the amplitude of movement of the pokers, as will be readily understood. By arranging the bar ll, so that it will connect with the rods e at different distances from their outer ends, the pokers or slice-bars will receive a variable movement, as will be readily comprehended. The slice-bars or pokers may have any desired form so long as they will effect the purpose of the invention, and, as shown in Fig. 2, they are provided at their active edges with a series of fingers 13 to more readilypenetrate the mass of coals and agitate them and break up clinkers. XV hen it is required to stoke or stir the iire, the shaft 9 is rotated, and by means of the connections herein described the pokers or slice-bars will be reciprocated and effect the desired end.

By having the pokers or slice-bars connected in the manner set forth they receive a simultaneous vibratory and reciprocating movement approximating the operation of the fireman or stoker when stirring the iirei This movement is clearly indicated bythe full and dotted lines in Fig. l. Each poker or IOO slice-bar can be adjusted independently of y the others, so that its reciprocating and vibratory movement may be regulatedtosuit .f

the condition of the fire and its particular relation with reference thereto.

- Having thus described the inventionf,-what is claimed as new is f receive a simultaneous vibrator f and reciproeating movemenmlan operating rod or bar,

and means for adj ustably connecting the individual pokers with the said operating rod or bar to independently regulate and vary the .ISK

movement of the saidpokers, the parts being disposed so that the series of pokers are si multaneously actuated by means of the aforementioned rod or bar, substantially` as set.

forth.

2. f The combination 'with a gratearranged so as to incline, a series of horizontally-disposed pokers or slice-bars, disposed at diierentrelative levels, bell-crank levers arranged in vertical alinement, connections between thevertieal arms of the bell-crank levers and the said pokers orslice-bars, means forsimultaneously changing the relation of ythe oonnections with reference to the said vertical arms, and a rod connecting lthe horizontal arms of the bell-crank levers for simultaneously operatingr them, substantially as described.

3. .A stcking attachment for gratos, comprising a .seriesr of pokers, a `'bell-crank lever for each poker, a rod or bar adjustably cony necting the pokers with an arm of the levers,

a bar connecting the other arms of the said levers, and means forreciprocating the said bar, whereby a corresponding movement is .imparted to the pokers, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

4. In a stoking attachment for gratos, the combination of a series of pokers, bell-crank leversk having slidable connection ywith the said pokers, means for simultaneously actu ating the saidlevers, a rod or bar Connecting the pokers in series, and means for operating the said rod or bar to vary the distance of the connection of the ypokers with the said levers from their fulcra toy vary 'the throw of 'the pokers, substantially as described.

tween the pokers and levers, and means for moving the said .rod orbar7 substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

f In testimonythat I claim the foregoing as my own I 'have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses. I

FRANK EVANS.

W`itnesses:

R. H. BLACK, B. R. CULBERTSON. 

